Dramatic decline in Luxembourg bee population

Luxembourg's bee population decreased by over 40 percent between 2010 and 2013, with environmental groups warning of the consequences of bee colony deaths and demanding government action.

18.04.2014

(CS) Luxembourg's bee population decreased by over 40 percent between 2010 and 2013, with environmental groups warning of the consequences of bee colony deaths and demanding government action.

Between the autumn of 2010 and spring 2013, the number of bee colonies in Luxembourg shrank from 5,580 to just 3,258, according to environmental groups “natur&ëmwelt” and Greenpeace. However, bees are needed to pollinate 71 out of the 100 plants, which contribute to 90 percent of global food supplies.

“In Europe 87 percent of crops can only be grown thanks to the pollination by bees,” biologist Lea Bonblet explained at the launch of an awareness raising campaign on Tuesday.

Not only does the migration of the Asian varroa mite to Western ecosystems contribute to the problem, however. A lack of landscape structure and a loss in natural habitat create deficits in pollen supplies. The use of pesticides meanwhile adds to the problem.

Greenpeace and “natur&ëmwelt” are therefore calling on the Luxembourg government to promote a more sustainable and bee-friendly agricultural and rural development, as part of the 2014-2020 “plan de développement rural”. Papering over the cracks will not save the bees, the organisations said. “We appeal to the government to finally introduce a long overdue paradigm shift towards sustainable agriculture in Luxembourg,” said Martina Holbach of Greenpeace.

Additionally, the government should ban pesticides harmful for bees, promote biodiversity, protect ecosystems and provide more funding for research and support of organic farming, campaigners said.

The environmental organisations have meanwhile launched a save the bees campaign. Throughout April, May and June there are different activities and information events, with some 13 communes signed up to help the environmentalists.